Women Who Thrive, Change The World!

Posts tagged ‘Marianne Williamson’

Less than a week ago we had a national election in the United States. As I saw it, as women and on behalf of the environment, we potentially had a lot to lose. This is why I was so stunned by some women I talked to that had decided not to even vote because it appeared they lacked the passion and motivation to really get involved in making an informed choice.

Some said that their vote wouldn’t count anyway because of our antiquated electoral college system, or even that they lived on the West Coast and it would already be decided before they could even vote. There wasn’t even a thought about their own community issues and elected officials. Has “politics” disillusioned us so much that we have become apathetic?

I have to admit that I have been one of those disillusioned ones and have left the arena of politics for others with a stronger stomach. At the same time I realize that this is avoidance which results in a lack of change or transformation to the very systems and beliefs that are making us unhappy and imbalanced. As individuals, as communities, as countries, as a global society.

Many individuals feel that if you are following a spiritual path then politics is something to be avoided. If Gandhi, Martin Luther King, and many others throughout our time here on Earth had thought that quite a lot of transformation and change would have been completely left undone. The quote above by Marianne Williamson invites us to ENGAGE with what she calls the “love ethic” in all that we do on behalf of what is important to us.

If we really want a change to happen in our political systems, a shift in how we steward this planet that shares it’s riches with us, a change to a peace ethic instead of war, or whatever else is vitally important to you, then we really DO need to become engaged and make it a part of our spiritual journey.

In other words “take a stand for another possibility”. If we do not engage, transformation is truly not possible. Women in particular have a lot of power to create change in this realm – change that is desperately needed. This beautiful older woman in the picture above has taken a stand. Her bare feet upon the bark of a tree engaging with her own and nature’s life force on behalf of another possibility. What is it that you want to take a stand for? You are never too old…..your actions in whatever unique form DO make a difference!

OK, I am back after a rather long – for me – hiatus from writing. There are good reasons for this little pause as I was gathering material for creating an entirely new life, as well as juicy experiences to write about….and as you can see by the picture to the left, watching out for snakes in rest stops on the vast landscape of Texas.

Having quit a “job with benefits” on 7/1/11 – hooray! – the car was packed and ready to go forth from Oregon on 7/5/11 traveling through California to visit family and friends on the way to my final destination of Austin, Texas where I am writing from now!

I most probably will be writing about this journey for many months to come as there were, and are, so many experiences that speak to what it is for a woman when she finally says a big YES to herself, leaps on the next train going directly to her particular passions, and slides right into the the wildly free life that has yet to reveal the many, varied, and often mysterious pieces that will go into forming the whole.

Soaking in hot spring pools just as naked as I came into the world – on my birthday; sliding/playing tag/pushing swings/building sand castles/running wildly/laughing until tears streamed down my face with granddaughter Sorenna; touching the belly where my grandson resides; connecting with all 3 adult sons and holding the space to find out who they are becoming; celebrating and rekindling women friendships, some that had not been in person for some 40 years; revisiting San Diego, the place of birth and vast memories; running into the warm Pacific ocean waves with arms outspread and delight coming out in little (OK BIG!) shrieks of pleasure; deeply listening and sharing with brother Ron who over the past 2 years has been living and learning with prostate cancer; eating outrageously healthy and beautiful food wherever I landed; spending an amazing 24 hours at Rancho La Puerta in Tecate, Mexico for FREE with a beloved woman friend; driving mile after mile by myself entertained by the terrain of my past, the ground of my future, and a journey from Cairo to South Africa that kept me spell bound as the book on tape unfolded itself.

Still in awe of the many blessings, love and gifts that I experienced on this journey to my new home I sit with re-inventing what my life is to become now at the tender age of 63. So many of us seem to be doing this now. What is it that starts taking hold of our attention and won’t let go until we finally surrender and say OK, what is it that I am to be next? …and when this is clear to us it often is quickly followed by – but how?

Well, you see the journey has already been put in motion once you have seriously listened to this inner voice that has your best interests “at heart”. The practice of checking out every single “lead” that comes into your life no matter what the mind says has begun. Ready or not….her your life comes!!

…and then you are lead along a path that looks and feels like nothing that you have ever experienced before, and if it does feel familiar, then your mind has gotten the upper hand. Coming back to the heart….that intuitive and wise presence within you that has just made itself the Director Of Life As It Is To Be Now…. breath deepens and then there is space for the listening….and the courage for the following.

Now, there will be surprises along the way, and challenges that test your resolve, but just remember that someone or some force that has no name – has your back. This is a learning for women that I know for me is taking time to settle in. We are so used to being on the giving end of that partnership that it may take some time to embody the receiving end….and it comes in the form of trust and faith disguised in many different and varied forms.

Traveling journey to get here is complete. I am here now. The journey continues. I am sick with a bronchitis that started on day 7 of my trip, unsure about how money will flow into me, haven’t lived in a big city for 23 years, and don’t have a place of my own to call home.

Yet, I am housed by a most generous and loving friend, am learning the benefits of deep rest, filling my body with healing foods and juices, requesting understanding and supportive friends to be on-call when I fall into the doubt and frantic mind scares that old patterns of thinking produce, exploring an amazing new city, taking restorative and gentle yoga classes, walking in awe within natural settings with brand new sights, smells and sounds; and joined the local natural food co-op, everywhere striking up conversations with the incredible friendly people in these parts….y’all.

We can practice loving the journey in the moment no matter what it brings and see where it takes us. What makes it even richer is if we connect with other women – “wild sisters” if you will – along the way (see RESOURCE below!), enriching our passage and enlivening our journeys.

“We are not held back by the love we didn’t receive in the past, but by the love we’re not extending in the present.” ~ Marianne Williamson

So ask the questions that will stimulate the heart to answer you…and then listen my sisters. Love the journey now……

This new magazine launched last week. The first issue is filled with color, women’s art and some very “real” writing, along with a full dose of inspiration and creativity. Young and old will appreciate what our “wild sisters” have to say…and what they have created!! Take a peak!